ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Antigua and Barbuda was promoted centre-stage at the prestigious 25th Annual Celebrity Cricket Day and ‘A Celebration of Cricketers’ dinner, hosted by former Lloyd’s Bank Chairman Sir Victor Blank and English Journalist, Sir David Frost earlier this week in the United Kingdom in aid of the charity, Wellbeing of Women.

Minister of Tourism John Maginley presents Mr. Peter Birkinhead with his Antigua holiday prize, alongside Sir Vivian Richards and representatives of Nonsuch Bay and Curtain Bluff during the “A Celebration of Cricketers” Dinner

Antigua’s cricketing legend, Sir Vivian Richards joined Minister of Tourism, The Hon, John Maginley and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, in promoting the destination, creating a buzz amongst the high net worth audience about Antigua and Barbuda.

Invited guests at the private fund-raiser, noted as having raised over £5.5 million for the charity during its 25 years existence, included high-profile bankers, doctors, business leaders, celebrities and cricketers.

Guests enjoyed the atmosphere created at the Antigua and Barbuda booth during the Celebrity Cricket Day

Minister of Tourism John Maginley noted that Antigua and Barbuda’s partnership with the influential event was in keeping with the Tourism Authority’s “marketing strategy of raising awareness of Antigua and Barbuda amongst the UK’s high-spending travellers.”

“Antigua and Barbuda already has brand recognition when it comes to cricket, so it was only natural that we capitalise further on the synergy between us and Sir Victor Blank’s event which would afford us the opportunity to target the luxury market.

We were delighted to have been invited to expand our reach to this circle, where we could network and promote the brand on a one-on-one basis.”

The Tourism Minister also noted that “Brand Antigua and Barbuda was happy to be additionally associated with and lend its support to the prominent Wellbeing of Women charity whose monies raised go towards funding important and needed medical research geared at improving women’s health and that of their babies.”

As the Cricket Day got under way, guests mingled against an Antigua and Barbuda back-drop as steel pan music played and English Harbour rum cocktails were served by bar staff decked out in Antigua and Barbuda’s national dress.

Antigua and Barbuda’s marketing brand was visible on the grounds, with promotional items on display and goodie bags available, for attendees interested in receiving more information on holidaying in the islands.

Sir Vivian Richards and Minister of Tourism join Sir Victor Blank’s team to raise funds for charity at the Celebrity Cricket Day

As an internationally recognised and revered cricketer, Richards’ presence proved an added draw as he signed autographs for spectators at the promotional booth, and showcased his cricketing prowess during the cricket match.

Antigua and Barbuda, received another opportunity to shine at the two day event, with Richards featuring as a member of the Cricketing Legends panel discussion during the black-tie ‘Celebration of Cricketers’ dinner, held the following evening.

Auctioned during the dinner, in aid of Wellbeing of Women, was a fourteen night holiday to Antigua’s Nonsuch Bay Resort and Curtain Bluff Resort, along with an opportunity to dine with and play golf with Sir Vivian Richards.